By Okungbowa Aiwerie,The Nation
Copyright thenationonlineng
Live music, spoken poetry, bright lights, book reading and colourful murals created an alluring ambience that enlivened the mood of the eclectic crowd that gathered at the unveiling ceremony of Dr Ebidenyefa Tarlia- Nikade’s tragic novel: “When Tomorrow Beckons”.
The book launch, which was held weekend, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa Capital, attracted the Bayelsa Governor’s wife, Justice Patience Diri, government functionaries, literary enthusiasts, writers, academia, poets and the traditional institution.
Justice Diri, who was special guest of honour, urged the private sector and development partners to support authors by sponsoring reading programmes and endowing prizes for research and writing.
According to her, “ideas are the raw materials for innovation”, stressing that “when we invest in knowledge, we compound progress”.
She reiterated the imperatives of discipline and cultivating a strong reading culture, stressing that knowledge, hard work, and integrity remain the surest path to personal growth and lasting impact.
Diri emphasized the vital role of books in shaping ideas, preserving memory, and inspiring future generations.
She described the occasion as more than just a literary event, but a celebration of knowledge, culture, and progress that resonates with the values of society.
Read Also: Shadow govt: Pat Utomi knows fate Monday as court delivers judgment in DSS’ suit
Commending the author for her effort, Justice Diri, stressed the value of book which she said came at a timely moment, noting that literature preserves memory, sparks public debate, and inspires young people.
“When Tomorrow Beckons is a work that arrives at a timely moment for our society and those who care about ideas, culture and progress. I congratulate the author for the courage, discipline and generosity it takes to bring a manuscript from a quiet idea to a book we can hold and read.
“I love literature, I love books and I love to write. Books are unique, they travel farther than their authors and they live longer than their first readers. They preserve memory, sharpen public debate and give young minds something worthy to aspire to,” she added.
She said the novel provides clarity, balance, and lessons that makes it useful for literature scholars and readers alike.
Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Ambassador Godknows Igali, who chaired the occasion, praised the author for telling the Ijaw story with candour, courage using literature to of an indigenous riverine people.
His words, “The book touches on the Ijaw identity and who we are as a people in the Niger Delta. Young people should turn to writing about their origin as a way to preserve our history.”
Dr. Ebidenyefa Tarila-Nikade said proceeds of the book launch would be channelled towards the Spelling Bee Bayelsa competition which is in its fourteenth year.
She said the Spelling Bee competition targets children in primary and secondary schools across the state.
She said, “The Spelling Bee is to encourage children to develop interest in mentally rewarding activities. We plan to give financial rewards, educational materials, and, if possible, scholarships to participants.”
She further noted that When Tomorrow Beckons was written to promote Ijaw culture, stressing that the book shows the people’s cosmology, traditions, and values beyond oil struggles and poverty.
“It is to tell the world that we are strong people with our norms, our taboos, our worldview, and our rich cultural heritage. Our food, our dressing, everything is embedded in this work,” she said.Dr. Tarila-Nikade urged young writers to be intentional and disciplined in their craft, stressing that, “For you to carve a niche for yourself, you have to take time to engage in deep research in your area of interest and come out with something laudable that will be worthy of accolades,” she urged.
She encouraged young people to balance social media with serious reading and research, adding that consistent engagement with books remains the key to greatness.
